Western Premiers Issue Joint Statement on National Unity and Resource Development

Western and northern premiers signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday aimed at coordinating resource development and critical minerals strategy across the region, marking a significant step in interprovincial cooperation on economic policy.

The agreement, finalized during meetings in Ottawa, brings together Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut under a shared framework for critical minerals development, infrastructure coordination, and supply-chain competitiveness.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith outlined the region’s priorities following the signing, emphasizing electricity strategy, Trans Mountain Expansion project outcomes, liquefied natural gas development, and exploration of new pipeline routes to Asian markets.

“Western Canada has the resources, the expertise, and the will to build a more prosperous future,” Smith told reporters. “This memorandum represents our collective commitment to coordinate development in a way that benefits all Canadians while respecting provincial jurisdiction.”

Unity and Resources: Two Sides of the Same Coin

The joint statement comes at a time when questions about national unity have dominated political discourse. During the same meetings, Ontario Premier Doug Ford publicly challenged Smith to take a clear stance against separatist sentiment in Alberta, stating “Either you’re with Canada, or you’re not with Canada.”

The western premiers’ response focused on economic integration as the strongest argument for confederation. The memorandum explicitly links resource development to national cohesion, positioning interprovincial cooperation as evidence of a functioning federation.

British Columbia’s Premier emphasized the strategic importance of the agreement for Canada’s position in global supply chains. “Critical minerals aren’t just about economics: they’re about sovereignty, security, and our ability to participate in the green transition on our own terms,” he said.

What’s in the Memorandum

The agreement establishes several key priorities for western and northern jurisdictions:

Critical Minerals Strategy: Coordinated development of lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, and other materials essential for battery production, renewable energy systems, and advanced manufacturing.

Infrastructure Coordination: Shared planning for transportation corridors, electrical grid connections, and port access to reduce duplication and maximize efficiency.

Supply Chain Competitiveness: Joint efforts to streamline regulatory processes, reduce inter-provincial barriers, and position western Canada as a reliable supplier to international markets.

Northern Development: Specific provisions for territorial participation, recognizing unique challenges and opportunities in Canada’s Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.

The premiers stopped short of establishing a formal secretariat or permanent bureaucratic structure, opting instead for regular ministerial meetings and working groups to advance specific projects.

Federal Response and Provincial Jurisdiction

The memorandum carefully navigates federal-provincial jurisdiction, acknowledging Ottawa’s role in international trade, Indigenous consultation, and environmental assessment while asserting provincial control over resource development.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has not issued an official response to the agreement but has previously expressed support for regional cooperation on economic development. Federal ministers attended portions of the First Ministers’ meetings where broader infrastructure and energy priorities were discussed.

First Ministers collectively agreed on principles including accelerated strategic investments in Canada’s North and electricity system modernization. The western premiers’ memorandum builds on these broader commitments with region-specific implementation plans.

Constitutional experts note that interprovincial agreements like this memorandum operate within established frameworks but can create political pressure for federal action or funding. The premiers’ emphasis on critical minerals aligns with federal industrial strategy priorities, potentially creating opportunities for joint investment.

Economic Context and Market Pressures

The timing of the agreement reflects growing international demand for critical minerals and increasing competition from other jurisdictions. The United States, through recent legislation, has created significant incentives for domestic mineral processing. Australia, Chile, and several African nations are also positioning themselves as preferred suppliers.

Western Canada holds substantial deposits of many critical minerals but faces challenges in extraction, processing, and transportation infrastructure. The premiers’ coordinated approach aims to address these bottlenecks through shared planning and advocacy.

Industry representatives welcomed the memorandum. The Mining Association of Canada called it “an important step toward regulatory clarity and investment certainty.” Environmental groups expressed cautious support, emphasizing the need for robust oversight and Indigenous partnership in any development.

Trade analysts suggest the agreement could strengthen Canada’s negotiating position in ongoing discussions about continental supply chain integration under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The memorandum positions western provinces as a unified bloc in future negotiations.

Indigenous Consultation and Rights

The memorandum acknowledges the need for meaningful consultation with Indigenous nations but does not establish specific mechanisms or protocols. Several Indigenous leaders have called for direct participation in the working groups and formal recognition of Indigenous jurisdiction over traditional territories.

The Assembly of First Nations issued a statement noting that “any development on Indigenous lands must proceed with free, prior, and informed consent” and urging premiers to move beyond consultation toward genuine partnership.

Territorial premiers, particularly in Yukon and Northwest Territories where Indigenous governments exercise significant authority, emphasized their commitment to collaborative approaches that respect existing land claim agreements and self-government arrangements.

Political Implications

The memorandum represents a shift in western provincial politics from individual advocacy to regional coordination. Historically, western premiers have pursued independent strategies, sometimes competing for investment and federal attention.

Political observers note that the agreement creates a counterweight to Central Canada’s economic influence while avoiding separatist rhetoric. By framing regional cooperation as nation-building rather than provincial grievance, the premiers occupy a political middle ground between federalism and separatism.

The explicit focus on national unity in the joint statement suggests awareness that resource politics can inflame regional tensions. The premiers appear to be making the case that economic cooperation serves confederation rather than challenging it.

Next Steps

The premiers committed to reconvening within six months to assess progress on specific projects. Working groups will report on electricity grid interconnection opportunities, transportation corridor priorities, and regulatory harmonization.

The memorandum includes provisions for other provinces to join future phases of cooperation, leaving the door open for expanded participation if projects demonstrate early success.

Whether this regional coordination produces tangible results will depend on follow-through, federal cooperation, and the ability of premiers to maintain political consensus despite different party affiliations and provincial priorities.

For now, the western and northern premiers have signaled their intention to shape Canada’s economic future through cooperation rather than competition. The memorandum is a bet that unity: at least regional unity: can be built on shared economic interests.

---

Stay informed on federal-provincial relations and Canadian economic policy at The Canadianist News.